Police, community and calendar briefs for July 31, 2013

Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 9:07 p.m.

Police arrested a 33-year-old man Tuesday on a warrant for DUI manslaughter in connection with the death of his girlfriend in a January 2012 crash on Northeast 36th Avenue.

Ocala Police Department investigators picked up Jason Douglas Odier at his northeast Ocala residence. He declined to talk with them. On Tuesday evening, he was being held at the Marion County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.

Meloni Bye, 39, was killed in the crash at about 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2012, in the 3100 block of Northeast 36th.

Investigators concluded Odier was driving the 2006 Nissan in which she was a passenger and that he was speeding and driving without headlights. According to OPD, his blood alcohol content was .138. Under state law, a driver with a level of .08 is presumed to be intoxicated.

At the crash scene, Traffic Homicide Investigator Harold Compton interviewed Dave Schroff, who said he was driving out of a private driveway in his pickup and did not see the car until they collided, according to an OPD report.

Schroff told him the northbound car struck his truck, slid across the street and hit a pine tree, which broke and fell on the car. Schroff said Odier climbed out of the vehicle through a rear door and waited with him for paramedics to arrive.

Odier told paramedics there had been two other people in the car besides him and that he had not been driving, according to the report. Paramedics later removed Bye’s body from the passenger seat.

At the hospital, Odier told Compton another man had been driving but he didn’t know the man, according to OPD. Later, Odier maintained he could not even give an accurate description of the third person.

The victim’s daughter, however, told Compton that Odier had been the only person with her mother when they came by to drop off food the night of the crash.

Two charged in Citra armed robbery, shooting

Two suspects have been charged in an armed robbery and shooting that occurred on Friday in Citra.

Montel D. Brown, 20, of Citra, and Ferron Lee Williams, 19, were charged with robbery with a firearm and attempted felony murder, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The victim, who was shot in the leg, told detectives that he and another man had arrived at his Citra home in the 17300 block of Northeast 18th Avenue. He got out of the vehicle and was approached by two men wearing masks and dark clothing.

The gunmen demanded everything they had, the victim said. His passenger got out and ran away.

The victim said he heard three loud bangs and then felt a pain in his leg. A robber pointed a handgun at his head and ordered him to get down. The victim said he fought with the suspects as they reached into a pocket and removed his money.

He recognized one of his attackers as Brown. In an interview Friday, detectives said Brown not only identified Williams as his accomplice but also said they only wanted to rob the victim and didn’t want to hurt anyone.

Sheriff’s detectives found Williams on Tuesday. He denied any part in the robbery.

Burglary suspect moved, will face more charges

A 22-year-old Inverness man who faces multiple counts in several counties, including Marion, now faces additional charges in Citrus County.

Kyle Lee Chunn, described by law enforcement officials as a “one-man wrecking crew,” faces Citrus County charges of grand theft, lewd and lascivious battery on someone 12 to 16 years old, and violation of his probation for robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery.

Chunn, who was being held at the Marion County Jail since his May 30 arrest in Belleview, has been sent to Citrus County to face those charges.

MCSO: DUI suspect was well over the legal limit

A driver whose blood alcohol content was found to be more than four times the legal limit was arrested early Monday morning.

Marion County sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Jones Jr. received a report of an erratic driver in the 4800 block of North U.S. 441 who had almost struck another vehicle head-on.

Jones stopped the 1998 Dodge Neon in the 7700 block of North U.S. 441.

The driver, identified as Leroy Gordon Parker, 52, had an odor of alcoholic drink coming from his breath, and his eyes were watery and bloodshot, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.

Jones called for Deputy Gary Miller, a DUI expert, who asked Parker if he wouldn’t mind doing a field sobriety exercise.

Parker failed the test and was arrested at 2:20 a.m. Monday, according to the report.

Breath tests showed blood alcohol levels of .327, .348 and .337 — more than four times the .08 limit at which a person is presumed too intoxicated to drive.

Parker was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center for treatment. At the hospital, his BAC was found to be .384.

Parker was later taken back to the jail, where he was charged with a second-offense DUI. He was previously convicted of DUI in 1993 in Marion County.

Jail records indicate Parker was released at 9:18 p.m. Monday.

Summerfield woman, 86, bilked out of $105,660

SUMMERFIELD — An 86-year-old Summerfield woman fell prey to a lottery scam that bilked her out of $105,660.

The victim, who was told she had won the lottery, sent money transfers for more than a year, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office learned about the case from a Sumter County sheriff’s deputy, who was notified by the victim’s bank about a possible scam.

The woman had been contacted by a man, who told her his name was Kevin Thomas, according to a report by Marion sheriff’s Deputy Eric Larson. The man told the victim she had won $1.8 million but before she could collect her prize she had to pay taxes on the winnings. Beginning in mid-June 2012, the woman sent wire transfers to Canada.

The woman said not all the calls — which came from an unknown number — were accommodating. Sometimes the caller was threatening. The deputy noted that the victim had nearly 80 missed calls on her home phone and cellphone.

While he was with her, the victim received several calls from unknown numbers. At her request, the deputy answered the phone. When he identified himself as a sheriff’s deputy, the caller disconnected.

Ocala man found with counterfeit checks

BELLEVIEW — A 46-year-old Ocala man faces nearly 50 counts of possessing fraudulent checks after Marion County sheriff’s deputies found a slew of bad checks in his vehicle on Monday.

Last Thursday, Deputy Sydney Porter went to the Publix at 7578 SE Maricamp Road following a report of a counterfeit check. An employee said a payroll check for $496.32 cashed at the store on July 12 was returned as counterfeit.

The deputy went to the address of the name on the check. A woman there told him Eddie Joe Bryant had approached her about employment and given her the check, according to an arrest report. The check was written from a payroll account at Bank of America. The deputy checked with officials at the bank, who told him that, though the check was written on a valid account, the business name and address were not those of an account holder. The business name and address were fictitious.

On Monday, Porter learned that Bryant was going to meet someone and give them counterfeit checks. Porter, joined by Deputy Jason Webb, went to the Sweetbay at 11310 S. U.S. 301, and watched as Bryant gave someone two counterfeit Wachovia bank checks totaling $996.34, according to the report.

Bryant declined to talk with the deputies. They searched his vehicle and found 45 counterfeit checks, the report states.

Bryant was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail. He was charged with 48 counts of counterfeit pay instrument with the intent to defraud.

COMMUNITY

Buckmasters banquet scheduled

The Heart of Florida Buckmasters Annual Banquet will be held Saturday at the Ocala golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs blvd., ocala.

Tickets are $40 for individuals, $20 for children and spouses or $325 for a table of eight.

For more information, call 266-5184 or 622-5489.

Women’s luncheon to be held Aug. 20

Ocala Christian Women’s Connection invites area women to “Go Team Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center, 3600 SW 38 Ave, Ocala. The program will include Jim and Cindy Moody showing their unique sculptures and gifts, violinist Allison Osborne and inspirational speaker Terry McMullen.

The cost is $18; free childcare is available. Reservations are required by Aug. 16. For more information, call 236-1982 or 732-7053.

United Way hosts grant workshop

United Way of Marion County is hosting an advance grant writing workshop from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, at the United Way of Marion County, 1401 NE Second St. Ocala.

The workshop is designed for experienced grant writers who want to learn new tips and trends.

Registration is requested. For more information, call Marsha Holloway at 732-9696 or email mholloway@uwmc.org.

CALENDAR

TODAY

PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP: Circle of Parents, an educational support group for parents, 11:30 a.m. Ocala Family Resource Center, 215 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala. Meetings are free and childcare is provided with pre-registration. (369-2315 or www.elc-marion.org)

<p class="bold allcaps">POLICE BEAT</p>
<p><strong>Ocala man charged with DUI manslaughter</strong></p><p>Police arrested a 33-year-old man Tuesday on a warrant for DUI manslaughter in connection with the death of his girlfriend in a January 2012 crash on Northeast 36th Avenue.</p><p>Ocala Police Department investigators picked up Jason Douglas Odier at his northeast Ocala residence. He declined to talk with them. On Tuesday evening, he was being held at the Marion County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.</p><p>Meloni Bye, 39, was killed in the crash at about 7:15 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2012, in the 3100 block of Northeast 36th.</p><p>Investigators concluded Odier was driving the 2006 Nissan in which she was a passenger and that he was speeding and driving without headlights. According to OPD, his blood alcohol content was .138. Under state law, a driver with a level of .08 is presumed to be intoxicated.</p><p>At the crash scene, Traffic Homicide Investigator Harold Compton interviewed Dave Schroff, who said he was driving out of a private driveway in his pickup and did not see the car until they collided, according to an OPD report.</p><p>Schroff told him the northbound car struck his truck, slid across the street and hit a pine tree, which broke and fell on the car. Schroff said Odier climbed out of the vehicle through a rear door and waited with him for paramedics to arrive.</p><p>Odier told paramedics there had been two other people in the car besides him and that he had not been driving, according to the report. Paramedics later removed Bye's body from the passenger seat.</p><p>At the hospital, Odier told Compton another man had been driving but he didn't know the man, according to OPD. Later, Odier maintained he could not even give an accurate description of the third person.</p><p>The victim's daughter, however, told Compton that Odier had been the only person with her mother when they came by to drop off food the night of the crash.</p><p><strong>Two charged in Citra armed robbery, shooting</strong></p><p>Two suspects have been charged in an armed robbery and shooting that occurred on Friday in Citra.</p><p>Montel D. Brown, 20, of Citra, and Ferron Lee Williams, 19, were charged with robbery with a firearm and attempted felony murder, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>The victim, who was shot in the leg, told detectives that he and another man had arrived at his Citra home in the 17300 block of Northeast 18th Avenue. He got out of the vehicle and was approached by two men wearing masks and dark clothing.</p><p>The gunmen demanded everything they had, the victim said. His passenger got out and ran away.</p><p>The victim said he heard three loud bangs and then felt a pain in his leg. A robber pointed a handgun at his head and ordered him to get down. The victim said he fought with the suspects as they reached into a pocket and removed his money.</p><p>He recognized one of his attackers as Brown. In an interview Friday, detectives said Brown not only identified Williams as his accomplice but also said they only wanted to rob the victim and didn't want to hurt anyone.</p><p>Sheriff's detectives found Williams on Tuesday. He denied any part in the robbery.</p><p><strong>Burglary suspect moved, will face more charges</strong></p><p>A 22-year-old Inverness man who faces multiple counts in several counties, including Marion, now faces additional charges in Citrus County.</p><p>Kyle Lee Chunn, described by law enforcement officials as a “one-man wrecking crew,” faces Citrus County charges of grand theft, lewd and lascivious battery on someone 12 to 16 years old, and violation of his probation for robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery.</p><p>Chunn, who was being held at the Marion County Jail since his May 30 arrest in Belleview, has been sent to Citrus County to face those charges.</p><p><strong>MCSO: DUI suspect was well over the legal limit</strong></p><p>A driver whose blood alcohol content was found to be more than four times the legal limit was arrested early Monday morning.</p><p>Marion County sheriff's Deputy Daniel Jones Jr. received a report of an erratic driver in the 4800 block of North U.S. 441 who had almost struck another vehicle head-on.</p><p>Jones stopped the 1998 Dodge Neon in the 7700 block of North U.S. 441.</p><p>The driver, identified as Leroy Gordon Parker, 52, had an odor of alcoholic drink coming from his breath, and his eyes were watery and bloodshot, according to a Sheriff's Office report.</p><p>Jones called for Deputy Gary Miller, a DUI expert, who asked Parker if he wouldn't mind doing a field sobriety exercise.</p><p>Parker failed the test and was arrested at 2:20 a.m. Monday, according to the report.</p><p>Breath tests showed blood alcohol levels of .327, .348 and .337 — more than four times the .08 limit at which a person is presumed too intoxicated to drive.</p><p>Parker was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center for treatment. At the hospital, his BAC was found to be .384.</p><p>Parker was later taken back to the jail, where he was charged with a second-offense DUI. He was previously convicted of DUI in 1993 in Marion County.</p><p>Jail records indicate Parker was released at 9:18 p.m. Monday.</p><p><strong>Summerfield woman, 86, bilked out of $105,660</strong></p><p>SUMMERFIELD — An 86-year-old Summerfield woman fell prey to a lottery scam that bilked her out of $105,660.</p><p>The victim, who was told she had won the lottery, sent money transfers for more than a year, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.</p><p>The Sheriff's Office learned about the case from a Sumter County sheriff's deputy, who was notified by the victim's bank about a possible scam.</p><p>The woman had been contacted by a man, who told her his name was Kevin Thomas, according to a report by Marion sheriff's Deputy Eric Larson. The man told the victim she had won $1.8 million but before she could collect her prize she had to pay taxes on the winnings. Beginning in mid-June 2012, the woman sent wire transfers to Canada.</p><p>The woman said not all the calls — which came from an unknown number — were accommodating. Sometimes the caller was threatening. The deputy noted that the victim had nearly 80 missed calls on her home phone and cellphone.</p><p>While he was with her, the victim received several calls from unknown numbers. At her request, the deputy answered the phone. When he identified himself as a sheriff's deputy, the caller disconnected.</p><p><strong>Ocala man found with counterfeit checks</strong></p><p>BELLEVIEW — A 46-year-old Ocala man faces nearly 50 counts of possessing fraudulent checks after Marion County sheriff's deputies found a slew of bad checks in his vehicle on Monday.</p><p>Last Thursday, Deputy Sydney Porter went to the Publix at 7578 SE Maricamp Road following a report of a counterfeit check. An employee said a payroll check for $496.32 cashed at the store on July 12 was returned as counterfeit.</p><p>The deputy went to the address of the name on the check. A woman there told him Eddie Joe Bryant had approached her about employment and given her the check, according to an arrest report. The check was written from a payroll account at Bank of America. The deputy checked with officials at the bank, who told him that, though the check was written on a valid account, the business name and address were not those of an account holder. The business name and address were fictitious.</p><p>On Monday, Porter learned that Bryant was going to meet someone and give them counterfeit checks. Porter, joined by Deputy Jason Webb, went to the Sweetbay at 11310 S. U.S. 301, and watched as Bryant gave someone two counterfeit Wachovia bank checks totaling $996.34, according to the report.</p><p>Bryant declined to talk with the deputies. They searched his vehicle and found 45 counterfeit checks, the report states.</p><p>Bryant was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail. He was charged with 48 counts of counterfeit pay instrument with the intent to defraud.</p><h3>COMMUNITY</h3>
<p><strong>Buckmasters banquet scheduled</strong></p><p>The Heart of Florida Buckmasters Annual Banquet will be held Saturday at the Ocala golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs blvd., ocala.</p><p>Tickets are $40 for individuals, $20 for children and spouses or $325 for a table of eight.</p><p>For more information, call 266-5184 or 622-5489.</p><p><strong>Women's luncheon to be held Aug. 20</strong></p><p>Ocala Christian Women's Connection invites area women to “Go Team Luncheon” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 20, at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center, 3600 SW 38 Ave, Ocala. The program will include Jim and Cindy Moody showing their unique sculptures and gifts, violinist Allison Osborne and inspirational speaker Terry McMullen.</p><p>The cost is $18; free childcare is available. Reservations are required by Aug. 16. For more information, call 236-1982 or 732-7053.</p><p><strong>United Way hosts grant workshop</strong></p><p>United Way of Marion County is hosting an advance grant writing workshop from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, at the United Way of Marion County, 1401 NE Second St. Ocala.</p><p>The workshop is designed for experienced grant writers who want to learn new tips and trends.</p><p>Registration is requested. For more information, call Marsha Holloway at 732-9696 or email mholloway@uwmc.org.</p><p><strong>Veteran's meetings planned for week </strong></p><p><em>Thursday</em></p><p><ul><li>Cherrywood Veterans Club, 2 p.m. Thursday, 6261 SW 100th Loop, Ocala. (361-1896)</li></p><p><li>Spruce Creek Preserve Vets Association, 4 p.m. Thursday, Community Center.</li> (861-1503)</ul></p><p><em>Sunday</em></p><p><ul><li>North Central Florida Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, 2 p.m. Sunday, Angela S. Santos VFW Post Hall, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala. (489-5842 or 237-1570)</li></p><p><li>Amvets Post 19, noon Sunday, 1313 E. County Road 316, Fort McCoy. Sons of Amvets, 11 a.m.(622-4449)</li></ul></p><p><em>Monday</em></p><p><ul><li>Belleview American Legion Post 284 and Auxiliary, dinner 6 p.m. meeting 7 p.m. Monday, 5515 SE 109th St., Belleview. Dinner donation $5. (245-5832)</li></p><p><li>Marine Corps League, Marion Detachment 61, 7 p.m. Monday, 823 NW 26th St., Ocala. (229-6300 or 266-1936)</li></p><p><li>The Kenneth E. Doncaster VFW Post 12070 Post meeting, 7 p.m. First Monday, VFW Veterans Village, 13005 NE 135th St., Fort McCoy. (236-0823) </li> </ul></p><p><em>Tuesday</em></p><p><ul><li>Marine Corps League, Ocala West Detachment 1072, 7 p.m. Tuesday, VFW 4781, 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala. (732-0523)</li></p><p><li>VFW Post 10733, Men's Auxiliary, 7 p.m. Tuesday, 19241 N. U.S. 441, Orange Lake. (591-4359)</li></p><p><li>AmVets Post 25, 7 p.m. Tuesday, 16535 N. U.S. 301, Citra.(595-5867)</li></p><p><li>Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter #466, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Elks Lodge, 702 NE 25th Ave., Ocala, Lunch to follow for $9. (817-1654)</li></p><p><li>Stonecrest Veterans Association, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Crest Club. (307-2839 or 307-4204)</li></p><p><li>U.S. Veterans Post 100, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 16535 N. U.S. 301 Citra. (595-5867)</li></p><p><li>Ocala Memorial American Legion Post 27 and Auxiliary, meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, for covered dish supper, meeting follows, 516 NE Sanchez Ave. (624-3563)</li> </ul></p><h3>CALENDAR</h3>
<p><b>TODAY </b></p><p>PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP: Circle of Parents, an educational support group for parents, 11:30 a.m. Ocala Family Resource Center, 215 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Ocala. Meetings are free and childcare is provided with pre-registration. (369-2315 or www.elc-marion.org)</p><p> </p><p>MALE REVUE: Thunder From Down Under Male Revue, 8 p.m., Ocala Entertainment Complex, Bombay Beach Club, 1415 SW 17th St., Ocala. Regular covers apply. $20 day of show, $30 VIP. (789-6009)</p><p> </p><p>HELP CENTER: Help Center for E-books and Digital Audio, 2 p.m., Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. (671-8551)</p><p> </p><p>ESL: English As A Second Language (ESL), 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala. Free and free child care available. (629-5683, ext. 145)</p><p> </p><p>PRACTICE ENGLISH: Conversation Cafe, a time to practice your English, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., College Road Baptist Church, 5010 SW College Road, Ocala. (854-6981)</p><p> </p><p>QUILT CLUB: Bear Paws quilters, 5 to 8 p.m., Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2840)</p><p> </p><p><b>THURSDAY</b></p><p>MASONS: Fort King Daylight Masonic Lodge #389, 2 p.m., Ocala Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 3632 NE Seventh St., Ocala. (694-4196)</p><p> </p><p>CANINE PREP CLASS: Prep class for AKC's Canine Good Citizen Award test, 6 p.m. Thursday, MADTA Training Facility, Southeast Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala. 4 lessons for $50, last class is test and certification. (369-5551)</p><p> </p><p>T.O.P.S.: Taking Off Pounds Sensibly groups meet Thursdays: 9 a.m., Spring Lake Village, 2450 NE 146th Terrace, Silver Springs. (625-3358); 10 a.m., Ocklawaha United Methodist Church, 13335 SE 123rd St., Ocklawaha. (347-2841); 10 a.m., Grace Baptist Church, 10835 SE 70th Ave., Belleview. (245-9593); 7 p.m., Dunnellon Women's Club, 11756 Cedar St., Dunnellon. (489-1960) and 7 p.m. Belleview Christian Church, 7149 SE County Road 25A, Belleview. (245-2603)</p><p> </p><p>CHESS CLUB: Ocala Chess Club, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. (812-4221)</p><p> </p><p>ASK ARNOLD: Computer help, noon to 2 p.m. Thursdays, (through Aug. 29) Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala. (438-2580)</p><p> </p><p>LIONS CLUB: Ocala Lions Club, noon Thursdays, Ocala Elks Lodge, 702 NE 25th Ave., Ocala. (ahall014@embarqmail.com)</p><p> </p><p><b>THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY</b></p><p>BOOK SALE: Friends of Belleview Public Library books sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Friends Book Nook, 6007 SE Earp Road, Belleview. (438-2500 or 245-2767)</p>